FREE Registration Now Required
You must be a registered user to access our website. Please complete the registration form at no cost, or login if you are already a registered user. Be assured, your registration information is secure and will not be sold or made available to others.
To learn why registration is now required, see this editorial on the website changes. Once you have completed the registration process, to include verification of your email address, a cookie will be placed on your computer to automatically complete the login process in the future.
Registered users, click here.
New users or if you have never registered before, click here.
- Remembering forgotten casualties of war
- MEMORIAL DAY: 'God's angel' in WWII China
- Moore, Ezell ‘concerned’ about religious freedom in military
- Admiral vows to continue sharing faith
- Tyndale wins against abortion mandate
- Immigration bill will falter if same-sex amendments are added, ERLC warns
- Boy Scouts overturn ban on gay members
- Despite risks, entrepreneur sets sights on Asia
- USCIRF: Religious liberty ‘increasingly dire’
- PEW: Muslims world-wide reject suicide bombings, support sharia law
- Latest Stories...
RSS News Feed (What is it?)
By JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Brock told the Witness he recently found the first demographic study of the area he obtained from the North American Mission Board in May 2007. The “center of that report was less than a quarter of a mile from the church,” he noted. Last fall, the pastor said a mapping program revealed that most who attend Heritage live in Fruitland Park.
The news of Fruitland Park’s gift to Heritage has “created a lot of stir in the community,” Brock said.
“When God shows up and does something news travels fast,” he said. “This story of sacrifice and love is spreading and people are asking lots of questions and are excited.”
Brock believes God will use the story to encourage other churches that are “courageous enough to look hard at the legacy they are leaving and [ask] how will that legacy impact the coming generations with the Gospel.”
Art Ayris, executive pastor of neighboring First Baptist Leesburg, praised the cooperation between Fruitland Park and Heritage.
“In a church age of multiple splits and painful splinters it is refreshing to see churches coming together to reach their communities,” Ayris told the Witness. “Sidney Brock was a great associate here at First Leesburg and we have no doubt he will do a superlative job of presenting Christ to the city of Fruitland Park next door to us.”
There is sadness in the closure of First Baptist Church in Fruitland Park, Driggers admitted.
“But the way we did it also brings joy and a reason to celebrate,” he quickly added. “I am so glad that my church members did not value brick and mortar over the glory of God. I am so glad that they were able to see the value in giving away property that never really belonged to them anyway. It always was and always will be God’s.”
While there is a new sign on the building, Driggers said, “A church of the living God will continue to operate through the facilities. Lives will be impacted and God will receive the glory.”
- Page:
- 1
- 2
- Full Article
You must be login before you can leave a comment. Click here to Register if you are a new user.